With Your Teacher and School

Remember, leading your IEP (Individualized Education Program) is not a one-time event but an ongoing journey. Below you will find ideas on how to start your student-led IEP journey. Choose which one works for you. You can pick a different one at another time! It's up to you!

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Talk about the IEP process.

Why do you have an IEP?
What is the purpose of an IEP?
What are the timelines/due dates of an IEP?
What should an IEP do for you?
What do people talk about in the IEP?
Practice how you would explain the IEP process to someone.
Look at the IEP paperwork and find out what is in each section.
Know the IEP Team.
Learn the names and faces of everyone on the IEP team.

Come up with ideas of how you would like to become involved in the IEP process

What parts of the IEP process do you want to learn more about?
Is there something you would like to try to do in your IEP process - an interview, poster, collage, video, slides, essay - and how can this fit in the process about you?
What can you do, show, say, or create to express your thoughts?
Ask for help to practice the best way to share these thoughts with the IEP team

Create a plan to get it done

Schedule time with a teacher to get started and practice
Schedule your own time to work on it and gather information
Talk about how to show you need a break in the IEP meeting and how long you want to stay in the meeting.
Ask questions if you do not understand something.
Let the team know if you agree or disagree with what the other team members are saying.
Review the supports that are listed in your IEP so you know what they are and how to use them when you need them.
Discuss what you want to do for next year’s IEP process and meeting .

Make a plan to keep track of your IEP goals

How are you getting and understanding the information about your goals?
What are the steps to reach the goals?
Where are you now and where do you want to be?
When will you look at this information and talk about the plan to reach your goals?
What do you need to do next to get closer to your goal?

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